Lain's words were like a trigger for silence throughout the hall.
The council elders all exchanged looks of confusion, aside from Kaida, who watched with her lips curling down.
Everyone here expected a level of drama, but this development was not something anyone would have imagined.
Watching everyone's reaction was quite interesting to Lain–it was like when he made an artwork and people reacted to it as he expected.
Lain intended to be unpredictable.
The enemy needed a firm understanding of the clan to build their strategy to take it down—he had just made sure they no longer had that understanding.
Asides from Dino, the blonde-haired man, and Kaida, the Elder's were taken aback.
The bald man even stroked his mustache in thought and glanced at Kaida, wondering if she was aware of this.
"What are you planning?" Zacharia asked, his brow raised slightly.
Wearing a serious mask, Lain recalled his plan to purge the wretches out of the clan and reclaim his position as the heir of Nalmere.
It was quite simple.
Basically, as an exile, he was going to go beyond the Clan's territory to grow in a safe yet dangerous environment while investigating who the wretches were working with.
This was something Kaida, a survivor of the downfall in the novel, was trying to do, but was never successful. However, there were trails he could follow.
Meanwhile, Kaida would monitor the clan and protect his family.
The internal war he suggested was a double-edged sword, but if not dragged too long, the pros outweigh the cons.
'Well, on paper, it's simple, but In reality, hell nah!'
Clearing his throat, Lain straightened his back.
"This…" He muttered, before raising his voice suddenly, "This is merely a stage to prove my worth to our Clan!"
"First, I relinquish my claim as heir, opening the path for new candidates."
"Second, I request exile," He paused, then continued, "Severing all ties to Nalmere," He emphasized loudly, "I will leave to destroy our enemies!"
"When I return, proven by blood and battle, I will reclaim my honor!"
Then, his voice dropped as he concluded:
"Until then, neither my sister nor I shall claim the title of heir."
With a loud clap, Dino commented, "Yes, this is the nature of the Solmeres! I agree with this!"
Eleya turned to him and frowned. "You shouldn't be too hasty."
Dino shrugged. "What? You all wanted this too, didn't you? So why all the dancing around? If he survives, that only proves he's worthy!"
"Lain." Zacharia's voice boomed, silencing the chatter. "The words you have said hold weight.
"Have you underestimated the world because you survived an attack? Or have you believed yourself to be strong after acquiring a form of power."
By now, most in the room had heard that Lain had acquired some kind of artifact the previous day–not that Lain tried to hide that.
This made everyone believe that he had seen an blinding opportunity for revenge and wasn't thinking straight anymore.
Before Lain could respond, Dean stepped in—his voice solemn, but carrying a thread of respect.
"You've been given a chance to reconsider. Standing on the noble emblem—are your words final?"
'How much more drama do you need?'
Lain sighed. Pressing his thumb into the palm hidden by his cape, he squeezed.
Red began to bloom against the white fabric, a slow, deliberate reveal.
Holding the blood-soaked cape high, Lain said, "I, Lain Solmere, swear on Nalmere."
Cira, watching the scene from the sidelines, could only tighten her grip on Liana's hand as she listened to the audience chatters.
"No way!"
"He swore? He must have lost it!"
"Indeed. Even pleading can't save him anymore."
"He even dragged his sister into this? Kaida won't do anything?"
"She must have realized he's a lost cause!"
"Do you think she just wants to get rid of him?"
"At least, a better heir can rise now!"
As chatters grew amongst the spectators, Zacharia sighed in disappointment.
He turned to the Elders, excluding Kaida who didn't wield that much political power, and gestured to ask what they thought.
After receiving gestures of agreement with Lain's request, Zacharia walked forward.
He was dressed in a blue shirt and a white pants with a large white coat draped on his shoulders.
Walking to the edge of the platform, mana gathered underneath him and coalesced to form a flying rock.
Zacharia climbed the rock and descended to the floor, then walked towards the center of the hall.
Standing about 5 inches taller than Lain who was already six-feet, Lain felt pressured.
'Yeah… I hate staying in front of people that can easily kill me.'
Lain gulped as he looked into the man's grey eyes.
"I have a condition for your request."
"By this time in year 243, if you're yet to return with said honour, you will be permanently removed as a Heir candidate."
'That's two years from now when the Artifact can be accessed again… '
Lain smirked inwardly before declaring, "I agree!"
A gasp seemed to be heard from the entire audience at that moment.
"I see you're determined," Zacharia said, a subtle smile crossing his features.
Raising his hand and putting it on Lain's shoulder, Zacharia said aloud:
"Under the witness of Nalmere, representing the entire Council Elders, I declare Lain Solmere exiled from our noble clan.
"The opportunity to redeem himself has been granted so he can rejoin us.
"If he fails to do so before November of Year 243, he will never be given the opportunity to become a Heir Candidate.
"If he does redeem himself after, he may become a warrior of the clan."
Falling to one knee and bowing, Lain said, "Thank you for being merciful."
Then he intentionally glared at all of the Elders as he added, "I will kill all of the Nalmere Clan's enemies."
Still unfamiliar with bloodlust, a bit of it oozed out as he finished, "Mark my words."
The Elder and some warriors amongst the audience sensed it, but paid it no mind as it was still immature.
Liana watched her brother get exiled and turned to cover her face with her mother's body. Her muffled tears could barely be heard under the noise of the audience.
For years now, she's worked so hard to avoid these developments, she was even working with Kaida to better things…
But her heart broke when Kaida told her what would happen this morning.
Right at the moment, Lain glanced at her and saw her feeling a pang of regret.
Due to the original's memories, their fate in the novel and his childhood, Lain had come to like his mother and Liana.
However, for them to live long, he had to do this.
Even this wasn't enough, there were more dangers for them he had to worry about beyond this Clan's issues.